Bringing RNAi Within Reach: Acies Bio’s Accessible Platform Empowers Researchers to Tackle Overlooked Pests
26.06.2025
RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a transformative tool in sustainable agriculture, offering precise and effective solutions for pest and disease management. By utilising double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, researchers can target specific genes in insect pests, fungal pathogens, and plant viruses, minimising harm to beneficial organisms and the broader ecosystem. This specificity positions RNAi as a promising alternative to traditional chemical pesticides.
Traditionally, RNAi applications in agriculture have centred around genetically modified (GM) crops engineered to produce dsRNA targeting particular pests. While effective, this approach faces challenges, including complex regulatory approval processes, substantial development costs, and varying public acceptance across regions. Additionally, concerns about potential pest resistance have driven exploration of alternative strategies. In contrast, sprayable dsRNA formulations offer an attractive non-GM alternative, allowing for direct application to crops. This method provides flexibility and may encounter fewer regulatory hurdles, enabling quicker deployment in response to pest outbreaks. However, until recently, the high production costs associated with dsRNA have limited its accessibility, confining its use primarily to major agrochemical companies with substantial R&D budgets.
Acies Bio: Revolutionising dsRNA Accessibility
At Acies Bio, we are committed to broadening access to advanced agricultural technologies. Our innovative dsRNA production platform leverages microbial production to significantly reduce costs compared to traditional synthesis methods. This advancement makes high-quality dsRNA affordable and accessible to a wider spectrum of research and development entities working in the agricultural biologicals space, from universities and startups to established agricultural organisations and even specialised teams within larger corporations. By offering cost- and time-efficient solutions, we are broadening the application potential of RNAi technology, making it easier for researchers to explore a wider range of targets, scale their efforts more efficiently, and accelerate the development of novel agricultural biologicals.
Efficient Small-Scale dsRNA Synthesis at High Throughput
While innovation in agriculture often prioritizes solutions for widespread pests affecting major commodity crops, many critical, region-specific pest and disease challenges persist, significantly impacting local economies and food security. Acies Bio’s cost-effective dsRNA platform equips researchers with the tools to develop targeted solutions for these diverse issues.
Our platform is built for high-throughput synthesis, enabling the parallel production of hundreds of distinct dsRNA sequences in small quantities. This capacity is ideal for early-stage screening and validation, helping identify the most effective candidates for both biological performance and intellectual property (IP) protection. Once promising sequences are selected, scalable production supports larger applications such as greenhouse and field trials.
Additionally, our system can produce long dsRNA molecules (200–1000 base pairs), enabling multi-gene targeting within a single molecule. This enhances efficacy and offers a strategy to delay resistance development by simultaneously silencing several essential genes in pests or pathogens.
Our platform enables researchers to:
Rapidly Generate and Screen dsRNA Constructs: Our high-throughput capabilities support the parallel synthesis of hundreds of unique sequences, enabling efficient discovery and early validation.
Develop Customised dsRNA Solutions: We collaborate closely with partners to design and optimise dsRNA tailored to specific pest or disease targets.
Support Sustainable Agriculture: Our microbially produced dsRNA is biodegradable, highly targeted, and compatible with eco-friendly pest management programs that support biodiversity and pollinator health.
Easily Scale Up for Field Testing: Once promising dsRNA candidates are identified, we provide seamless and cost-effective scale-up services to support greenhouse or field trial requirements.
Lay the Foundation for Cost-Effective Large-Scale Production: Our microbial production system allows users to build scalable, economical manufacturing processes suitable for the final commercial deployment of RNAi products.
An Opportunity for Accelerated Innovation and Agility Across the Sector
By significantly reducing the cost barrier associated with dsRNA production, Acies Bio cultivates a more dynamic and innovative agricultural biotechnology landscape for all participants. This accessible environment empowers a diverse range of research entities—from academic labs and pioneering startups to specialized teams within established corporations—to explore, validate, and apply RNAi strategies with greater speed and efficacy. This acceleration in discovery not only complements existing R&D pipelines but also opens doors to novel applications, ultimately bringing innovative solutions to a broader spectrum of agricultural challenges more swiftly and benefiting the entire sector.
Whether you’re focused on high-value speciality crops, tackling regional pest problems, or developing RNAi products for global markets, Acies Bio’s platform can accelerate your path to impact.
To learn more or to explore a collaboration, read more on our platform website RNA TECHNOLOGIES or contact us directly to discuss how our dsRNA production services can support your research and development objectives.